Summary

Mrs. Allerton and Tim are at their table in the dining saloon for lunch. They are discussing the murder and Tim tells his mother that Linnet's pearls are also missing. Tim says he heard this from Ferguson, who heard the information from the engineer. Hercule Poirot joins the Allertons. At the end of lunch, Colonel Race tells the group about the stolen pearls and asks everyone to remain in the saloon until the ship is searched. Hercule whispers something in Race's ear and then they both step out of the saloon. A few minutes later, a steward tells Race and Poirot that Miss Bowers, the nurse, wishes to speak to them. She steps out of the saloon, opens her purse and says she wants to return "these," which turn out to be the pearls.

Analysis

Hercule Poirot suspects that the thief will hand over the pearls...